Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Just saw our bracket
We just need to beat Penn State, then potentially the #1 team in the country, then potentially Cornell, then Harvard (#3) ? Should be a walk in the park: we only need a 4 games winning streak

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Top Line:
Like most teams, Union looks to its top line for the bulk of its production and few players in college hockey have done a better job delivering than Mike Vecchione and Spencer Foo. With 62 and 60 points respectively that combination is one of the best Penn State has seen since Michigan's CCM line last season and third and fourth best nationally in total points. While Penn State fans certainly aren't rooting for injuries, this top line might be without its third piece in Sebastian Vidmar who suffered a knock against Cornell this past week and is questionable for Saturday. Vidmar racked up 40 points, the third best on the team behind his two linemates.

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Top Line:
Like most teams, Union looks to its top line for the bulk of its production and few players in college hockey have done a better job delivering than Mike Vecchione and Spencer Foo. With 62 and 60 points respectively that combination is one of the best Penn State has seen since Michigan's CCM line last season and third and fourth best nationally in total points. While Penn State fans certainly aren't rooting for injuries, this top line might be without its third piece in Sebastian Vidmar who suffered a knock against Cornell this past week and is questionable for Saturday. Vidmar racked up 40 points, the third best on the team behind his two linemates.

Good thing we don't depend on the facts in their write up.. Although SAK as a junior sounds pretty good !!! ...
Go U !!!

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Watching Harvard play Cornell on Saturday after we played them on Friday was eye opening and a study in contrast. It was a total 180 degrees. Harvard went after the puck with a vengeance. It was Cornell who was on its heals. Cornell score in the final minute to make it 4-1. The one play that summed it all up was when a 5'9" Harvard forward knocked a 6'4" Cornell player on his butt.

For Friday, IMO, we had the largest fan turnout of any of the four teams.

Sak stopped 21 shots in the first period or the score could have been much worse. It was an embarrassment. I don't know of any other tournament team that is failing to give 60 minutes of playoff hockey at this point in the season.

Harvard had no fans to cheer them on but they did not need them. They were very skilled but they were also very "hungry".

These Dutchmen have accomplished more than I ever thought. A league-best record. A Cleary Cup. Finishing in the top 10 with an invitation to the NCAA tournament as an 8th seed. Two Hobey Baker candidates, four members of the all ECAC league team including the MVP. Many of the players are STEM scholars as well. Bennett and the whole team deserve our praise and applause and thanks. Once again as fans they have made us proud.

I hope we go the rest of the way giving 100% for 60 minutes and I hope we can leave everything on the ice.

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Originally Posted by Dutchman

Watching Harvard play Cornell on Saturday after we played them on Friday was eye opening and a study in contrast. It was a total 180 degrees. Harvard went after the puck with a vengeance. It was Cornell who was on its heals. Cornell score in the final minute to make it 4-1. The one play that summed it all up was when a 5'9" Harvard forward knocked a 6'4" Cornell player on his butt.

For Friday, IMO, we had the largest fan turnout of any of the four teams.

Sak stopped 21 shots in the first period or the score could have been much worse. It was an embarrassment. I don't know of any other tournament team that is failing to give 60 minutes of playoff hockey at this point in the season.

Harvard had no fans to cheer them on but they did not need them. They were very skilled but they were also very "hungry".

These Dutchmen have accomplished more than I ever thought. A league-best record. A Cleary Cup. Finishing in the top 10 with an invitation to the NCAA tournament as an 8th seed. Two Hobey Baker candidates, four members of the all ECAC league team including the MVP. Many of the players are STEM scholars as well. Bennett and the whole team deserve our praise and applause and thanks. Once again as fans they have made us proud.

I hope we go the rest of the way giving 100% for 60 minutes and I hope we can leave everything on the ice.

Oh Dutchman.. So many good points in there and then you kinda ruin it with the "embarrassment" line..
A team that has secured it's spot in the NCAA final field vs one who many considered on the bubble,
A team with everything to play for is desperate and yet, in spite of that and the extra ncaa incentive only lead 2 to 1 till late. and having gotten
more power play opportunities (4 to 2) - two on questionable calls (how is getting pushed into the goalie your fault? or having the man you are checking grab your stick your fault?).
That my friend is hardly an embarrassment - at least to anyone not wearing stripes? (note for Harvard the penalties went the other way and even Cornell couldn't deal with it)
The Union men didn't quit nor did they play as bad as the score would have one believe..

They exceeded everyone's expectations and returned excitement to Union hockey.. I salute them !!
Now take it to those cats in blue... Go U...

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Originally Posted by Dutchman

Watching Harvard play Cornell on Saturday after we played them on Friday was eye opening and a study in contrast. It was a total 180 degrees. Harvard went after the puck with a vengeance. It was Cornell who was on its heals. Cornell score in the final minute to make it 4-1. The one play that summed it all up was when a 5'9" Harvard forward knocked a 6'4" Cornell player on his butt.

For Friday, IMO, we had the largest fan turnout of any of the four teams.

Sak stopped 21 shots in the first period or the score could have been much worse. It was an embarrassment. I don't know of any other tournament team that is failing to give 60 minutes of playoff hockey at this point in the season.

Harvard had no fans to cheer them on but they did not need them. They were very skilled but they were also very "hungry".

These Dutchmen have accomplished more than I ever thought. A league-best record. A Cleary Cup. Finishing in the top 10 with an invitation to the NCAA tournament as an 8th seed. Two Hobey Baker candidates, four members of the all ECAC league team including the MVP. Many of the players are STEM scholars as well. Bennett and the whole team deserve our praise and applause and thanks. Once again as fans they have made us proud.

I hope we go the rest of the way giving 100% for 60 minutes and I hope we can leave everything on the ice.

First, Harvard did have fans at the game and our band actually showed up which was stunning to say the least. They made it to only two or three games this year.

Second, if Cornell had converted a couple of their wide open looks at the net, the outcome on Saturday might have been very different. We were outplayed at times by the Big Red and it was our PP that was the difference in the game. Five on five, we had chances but so did they. Their puck possession wasn't as bad as you make it out to be. They hate us with the fire of a thousand suns which contributes to their energy and drive in playing us. Ultimately our skill won out but they hung tough.

Third, you have a great team and it was not embarrassing to lose to Cornell. They were ranked as high as #9 in the polls this year. It was surprising to me to see a Union team that at times was sleepwalking through that game. Perhaps you expected the wider ice surface to play to your strengths. What's done is done. The Big Red deserve to be in the NCAA tournament as do you and let's hope we see each other one more time.

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

We laid an egg in the ECAC tournament, and it hurt sitting in our stalls after the game knowing we got outworked.

Cornell is strong defensively, and we played right into their hands, which taxed our legs. We needed more guys battling and competing out there, but it just wasn't our night and we didn't capitalize on our chances. It was a good lesson for the younger guys, who haven't had that kind of playoff experience. Hopefully, it bumped us back on the right path going into the NCAAs.

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Vech was honest and candid with his comments in the interview.
Playoff hockey is a different beast sometimes the moment is too big
We all saw the progression with the NC team and how they learned
from blowing the Colgate ECAC Playoff series their Freshmen year then not losing another ECAC playoff game for the next 3 years. Getting to the Frozen Four only to lose to Ferris State; these experiences helped to prep them for their NC run.
Hopefully the team will have learned from the Cornell game and be ready for the next step in the opening round of the NCAA's.
The team has had a great year and they are now playing with house money. Play with passion, desperation and stay out of the box this team has the talent and leadership to beat Penn State but they must play their A game for 60 minutes. Looking forward to the drop of the puck on Saturday......

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Congrats Penn State and good luck against Denver..

Congrats Union on an excellent year no one expected you to have the year you had. This team exceeded expectations in every way. Being a co winner of the Cleary Cup and getting back to the NCAA tourney were great achievements. To our Seniors thanks for everything you did for the program and best of luck as you move on to the next chapter.
Vech & Foo had monster years....just unbelievable production and performance. Also terrific young men who are both deserving of the Hobey. Looking forward to next season already...
Good luck Harvard make the ECAC proud you have the talent and experience to bring home the NC.
Until next year Let's go U !

Re: Union College: 2016-2017

Congrats to Pen State !!!!!!!
That was BRUTAL.
Can't remember the last time that many goals were scored against us... or such a huge goal difference...
We were in the game in the first, with clear chances, until the PP goal... After that, it was like a different team was on the ice. Nothing went our way and Penn State went to town relentlessly! Hope the players learn from that.

Congrats to Pen State !!!!!!!
That was BRUTAL.
Can't remember the last time that many goals were scored against us... or such a huge goal difference...
We were in the game in the first, with clear chances, until the PP goal... After that, it was like a different team was on the ice. Nothing went our way and Penn State went to town relentlessly! Hope the players learn from that.

Per CHN, first time Union has allowed 10. Might be why you can't remember it